632 THE SECRETARY'S REPORT ON THE INSECT-HOUSE. [Nov. 14, 
J. G. Fischer! on the poison-glands of a specimen preserved in spirits. 
On one occasion, Dr. Fischer tells us that the gentleman who pro- 
cured the specimen and kept it for some time alive in Mexico, was 
bitten when handling it, and that the effects were of a very serious 
character. 
“I may add that Heloderma is probably not the only poisonous 
lizard. Lanthonotus borneensis, a pretty close ally of this lizard, 
described four years ago by Dr. Steindachner, exhibits, according 
to that author, a similar dentition. ” 
Sir Joseph Fayrer made the subjoimed remarks on the same sub- 
ject :— 
; * On the 31st August, 1882, I was present when the Heloderm bit 
two Guinea-pigs in the hind leg, at about 9.30 a.m. The bites were 
viciously inflicted ; and the lizard did not readily relinquish its hold. 
Blood was drawn, the teeth being deeply inserted. Both Guinea-pigs 
were affected; the bitten limb was dragged and appeared partially 
paralyzed. There were twitchings of the body generally ; but these 
may not have been due to the poison, but to agitation and fear. 
‘* These creatures seemed partially stupefied and apparently in pain, 
and ran away when touched, dragging the hind leg, which became 
swollen and ecchymosed. I watched them for about half an hour ; 
and, beyond the symptoms described, they did not seem deeply af- 
fected. They both, however, died in the course of the day. 
“ Mr. Bartlett wrote to me that both Guinea-pigs died, the larger 
one about two and a half hours after I saw it; the other at night. 
The blood taken from the heart and great vessels after death coa- 
gulated. This seems to show that there is a poison, but that it can- 
not be nearly so active or virulent as that of the Cobra. May it 
not be that the ordinary salivan secretion contains a larger 
quantity of active principle than that of other lizards, and that all” 
saliva contains a trace of this active principle which is so intensely 
developed in the Cobra and Viper?” 
The Secretary also read the subjoined Report on the insects bred 
in the Insect-house in the Society’s Gardens during the past season, 
drawn up by Mr. Arthur Thomson, the Superintendent’s Assistant :— 
Of the silk-producing Bombyces, the following species have been 
exhibited in the Insect-house during the past season, viz. :— 
Samia cecropia. Attacus atlas. 
Attacus cynthia. Actias selene. 
pernyi. luna. 
roylet Telea promethea. 
mylitta. polyphemus. 
I succeeded in obtaining fertile ova of all these species except 
Attacus atlas, Attacus mylitta, and Telea promethea; but I am 
exceedingly sorry to have to state that, of the whole of the young 
1 Verh. Nat. Verein, Hamburg, 1882. 
